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Iceland residents fleeing imminent volcanic eruption told they face months away from home
Iceland residents fleeing imminent volcanic eruption told they face months away from home
Experts have revealed the likely eruption site of a volcano in Iceland, as authorities warn evacuees they may not return home for months. Iceland has seen more than 1,700 earthquakes in the last 24 hours, according to the country’s Met Office, with most of the activity north of Hagafell. The forecaster said magmatic gas has been detected at a borehole in Svartsengi, signalling an imminent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano over the coming days. “Hagafell is thought to be a prime location for an eruption,” the forecaster said. The likely eruption site is near the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated last Saturday due to a string of earthquakes shaking residents and their homes. The fishing town has been the most affected area in Iceland, as the magma tunnel snakes beneath the ground leaving huge cracks in roads. While the eruption is most likely to happen in Hagafell, there is a possibility that it could happen anywhere along the magma tunnel. Although seismic activity has decreased, magma is still moving 3-4cm each day and ground deformation is continuing according to GPS data and satellite imagery. The head of the volcanic activity department at the Icelandic Met Office said the situation has not developed much in recent days. Kristín Jónsdóttir noted that while the magma intrusion is still deepening and widening, it is doing so at a slower rate. She said that a decrease in seismic activity indicates that magma has reached very high up in the earth’s crust and does not now need much for it to reach the surface. At a Civil Defence briefing on Saturday, director Víðir Reynisson said there is significant damage to houses and pipes in the area. He said: “This plus uncertainty about earthquakes means that residents have to prepare to live elsewhere in the coming months.” Locals have been permitted to briefly enter their homes for five minutes this week to collect their valuables and pets but need prior authorisation. Mayor of Grindavik Fannar Jónasson said that it will take “days and weeks” to resolve housing issues as a result of the evacuations. He said 1,200 families from the town need more permanent shelter. “I think the nation has done very well, considering the response and the aid we have received,” he said. “A lot has happened in this one week. I know that there is a lot of impatience and a call from the residents to go faster, but everyone is doing their best and it will take days and weeks to resolve issues.” Grindavik, a town of 3,400, sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of the capital, Reykjavik and not far from Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s main facility for international flights. The nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal resort, one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions, has been shut at least until the end of November because of the volcano danger. A volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula has erupted three times since 2021, after being dormant for 800 years. Previous eruptions occurred in remote valleys without causing damage. Scientists say a new eruption would likely produce lava but not an ash cloud. Read More Iceland officials reveal where volcano will likely erupt Torrential rain warnings issued for weekend as Met Office gives update on snow More rain for southern England and south Wales following Storm Debi Storms batter southern England as flooding causes travel disruption Thunderstorm warning in effect as downpours continue in parts of UK Storm Debi: London weather warning extended as Met Office warns of lightning damage
2023-11-20 13:48
Train derailment on Montana bridge sends multiple rail cars into the Yellowstone River
Train derailment on Montana bridge sends multiple rail cars into the Yellowstone River
A train derailment in Montana caused a bridge across the Yellowstone River to collapse and sent multiple cars into the water below, officials in Stillwater County said Saturday.
2023-06-25 01:18
Stock market today: World shares slip ahead of update on US consumer inflation
Stock market today: World shares slip ahead of update on US consumer inflation
Shares have declined in Europe and Asia after falling on Wall Street ahead of a highly anticipated report on U.S. inflation due later in the day
2023-09-13 17:19
Yellen to discuss US-China ties, global economic outlook in Beijing
Yellen to discuss US-China ties, global economic outlook in Beijing
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen begins a full day of meetings in Beijing including with Premier Li Qiang on Friday, as Washington seeks to steady the tense relationship...
2023-07-07 11:15
The UK's hardline immigration chief says international rules make it too easy to seek asylum
The UK's hardline immigration chief says international rules make it too easy to seek asylum
Britain’s immigration minister has argued Tuesday that international refugee rules must be rewritten to reduce the number of people entitled to protection
2023-09-27 00:45
Where is Olivia Thirlby now? ‘Juno’ star who had sex with Elliot Page while filming their hit comedy stays away from limelight
Where is Olivia Thirlby now? ‘Juno’ star who had sex with Elliot Page while filming their hit comedy stays away from limelight
Elliot Page, who came out as transgender in 2020, revealed that he and Thirlby had sex 'all the time' while filming their 2007 indie movie 'Juno'
2023-06-07 14:24
DeSantis: Trump's 2020 election fraud theories were 'unsubstantiated'
DeSantis: Trump's 2020 election fraud theories were 'unsubstantiated'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that the "theories" put out by former President Donald Trump and his associates following the 2020 election were "unsubstantiated" and "did not prove to be true."
2023-08-05 12:53
Ukraine Recap: Canada’s Trudeau Makes Unannounced Visit to Kyiv
Ukraine Recap: Canada’s Trudeau Makes Unannounced Visit to Kyiv
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Kyiv for a previously unannounced visit. He paid respect to fallen
2023-06-10 19:15
Misconceptions About the Great Depression
Misconceptions About the Great Depression
The Great Depression was caused by the 1929 stock market crash and plunged the entire country into poverty … right? Maybe not.
2023-11-09 04:21
Veteran California pilots racing in Reno killed in mid-air crash shortly after first-second finish
Veteran California pilots racing in Reno killed in mid-air crash shortly after first-second finish
Officials say two veteran California pilots were killed when their World War II-era planes collided in mid-air after completing a race and preparing to land over the weekend at the National Championship Air Races north of Reno
2023-09-19 10:28
EU announces plans to better protect its sensitive technologies from foreign snooping
EU announces plans to better protect its sensitive technologies from foreign snooping
The European Union has announced plans to better protect its cutting-edge technologies from foreign snooping that might threaten its economy and security
2023-10-04 00:30
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Jackman separate after 27 years of marriage
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Jackman separate after 27 years of marriage
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Jackman have decided to end their marriage after 27 years and two children, the pair told People magazine Friday
2023-09-16 02:58